Firing equipment for simulating gunfire



Oct. 27, 1970 0, HOFFMANN 3,535,809

FIRING EQUIPMENT FOR SIMULATING GUNFIRE Filed Feb. 2, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor:

Oswqzal Hoffman 4i W WAZ Oct. 27, 1970 o. HOFFMANN 3,535,809

FIRING EQUIPMENT FOR SIMULATING GUNFIRE Filed Feb. 2; 1968 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: 5 0 5M261 f/m fmm Mm j g s.

ct. 27, 1970 o. HOFFMANN 37,535,809

FIRING EQUIPMENT FOR SIMULATING GUNFIRE Filed Feb. 2, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Int. 01. F ilg 1/38 US. Cl. 421 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Firing equipment to simulate gunfire having a plurality of containers to receive fireworks and mounted on a support plate with each container provided with a separate detonating device to be set off selectively by control devices.

This invention relates to a firing device to simulate battle conditions for practice purposes.

In order to simulate real battle conditions as closely as possible on maneuvers and other military exercises, many imitations of live ammunition have been developed for the weapons used in these exercises. In each case the maneuver ammunition in question has been designed for use with a particular weapon.

The present invention has for an object the provision of firing equipment for simulating gun fire, which can be used on guns of a wide variety of calibers, or as a unit which can be set up independently. The equipment according to the invention is also designed for firing fireworks, the cost of production of which is considerably lower than that of the ammunition normally employed on maneuvers. The firing equipment according to the invention has for a further object the provision of a plurality of firing cups for accommodating fireworks of appropriate size, said cups being securely mounted on a support plate, angle member or the like and each firing cup being associated with a separate detonating device which can be set off as selected and desired by means of control ap paratus. The support plate or angle member for the firing cups is preferably connected to a holder in a manner whereby it can be readily exchanged, the holder being designed for clamping the equipment on gun barrels of various calibers.

Further objects will be apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the firing equipment according to the invention designed for clamping on a gun barrel;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view and;

FIG. 4 is a sideelevation of the equipment according to the invention for stationary use.

The firing equipment according to the invention has a supporting angle member or base 1 with two limbs which are reinforced by several ribs 2. On the outside of a perpendicular limb are fitted any required number of 3,535,809 Patented Oct. 27, 1970 metal firing cups 3 which serve to accommodate the fireworks. Each firing cup 3 has a setscrew 4 on its outside surface, whereby the firework placed in the firing cup 3 can be firmly clamped therein. Fixed to a horizontal limb of the angle member 1 there is provided a mandrel or base bar 5 which may be of round, square or rectangular cross-section and which extends into a holder 6. Rapid insertion and release of the magazine is insured by a special hinged or pivoted locking device 7, FIG. 2.

The holder shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is so designed that it can be fitted on gun barrels 14 of different diameters. The holder consists essentially of two halves 8 and 8" of a cylinder, which can either be clamped on or held together at their points of contact by means of screw connections. The holder 6 can be adjusted to the particular bore diameter of a gun and solidly clamped by means of setscrew 9, FIG. 1, and with pressure plates 10 attached thereto.

Each firework may be detonated electrically. Switch elements, such as the terminals and a multipole socket for receiving a connecting plug for the cable running to a control switch, are located inside a compartment 11 formed by the two limbs 15.

Two lead wires running from the fuzes of the fireworks placed in the firing cups 3 can be connected, for example, to the terminals associated with each firing cup, and this part of the equipment is provided with a cover to protect it against external influences.

Each of the fireworks is set oil by control apparatus which is positioned a safe distance from the firing frame, being connected thereto by means of a cable 16. The fireworks can be touched off in a selected order by means of a press-button switch associated with each firing cup 3, the simultaneous firing of several fireworks being prevented by mutual locking of the switch elements. For reasons of safety, the press-button switches are provided with a common safety-lock.

The firing equipment can be fitted above the gunbarrel and can also be suspended below, if, if desired, or held in any other position. It is expedient however not to arrange the central axes of the firing cups parallel with the gun barrel upon which the equipment is mounted, but at a certain angle thereto. The equipment can also be mounted to swing in horizontal and vertical planes and this results in the possibility of the equipment being used in a more versatile manner.

The equipment according to the invention has been developed primarily for use in armored vehicles, dummy armored vehicles, as well as in other vehicles. In the form described, it has the advantage that in certain circumstances, it can be operated by the driver of the vehicle in question without an assistant.

It is however, also possible for the equipment to be employed under stationary conditions by using a suitable gun carriage or support frame. FIG. 4 is intended to illustrate this manner of use, and here, the equipment is provided with a pedestal 12, so that it can be securely anchored in the earth 17 by means of pegs 13, driven through a base plate 18 on which the pedestal 12 is secured and mounted by any suitable means.

I claim:

1. An attachment for stationary guns and guns mounted on vehicles, comprising a carrying plate, a plurality of discharge cups secured to the carrying plate for the reception of fireworks imitating live shot at its discharge, and easily releasable attaching means for the carrying plate which will permit the attachment of the device on gun barrels of varying diameter, the attaching means consisting of a holder in two halves of a circular cylinder which can be either opened up or can be held together at a separation and tightening screws in the two halves with pressure plates to attach the carrying plate with the discharge cups secured thereto, and the holder having a plug-in opening for a holding bar attached to the carrying plate.

2. An attachment according to claim 1, in which the discharge cups are directed at an angle pointing away with their center axes from the axis of the gun barrel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT F. STAHL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

